The female disciple picked up the Spirit Tress Comb. Although she couldn't try it out due to the packaging, she turned it over a few times, inspecting it thoroughly and carefully as though she were handling an ancient treasure.
"Senior Brother Zhou, you didn't tell us this store sold treasures for beauty as well as cultivation! What impeccable craftsmanship!"
Zhou Rui coughed, clearly unprepared for this level of enthusiasm, "Junior Sister Mei, I wasn't aware. I was focused on... more life-saving items yesterday."
"Oh... You're right. I apologize for being insensitive, Senior Brother." With an embarrassed smile, the female disciple gently put down a comb before moving away from their vision by hiding behind the tall shelf.
Lin Mo couldn't help but inwardly shake his head at that sight but he tried his best to maintain his customer-service smile.
"Feel free to browse. We cater to all needs. Whether you're looking for life-saving elixirs or, apparently, hair-care solutions."
Taking that as Lin Mo trying to save them from the awkwardness, the female disciple reappeared from behind the shelf, picked up the comb and hurried to the counter. "S-shopkeeper. I'll take this. How much?"
Lin Mo took the product and scanned it, "30 spirit stones, miss. Do you want me to pack it for you?"
Without hesitation, the female disciple shook her head and handed over the spirit stones, "Y-yes please."
Lin Mo put it in a bag along with the receipt and handed it over to her. "Thank you for your purchase. Enjoy your Spirit Tress Comb."
[Sell expensive items worth 20 spirit stones: 1/5]
The female disciple accepted the bag with both hands, clutching it like it was a priceless artifact. She bowed slightly before darting off to rejoin her group, her cheeks tinged with a faint pink.
Zhou Rui watched her retreat before turning to Lin Mo with another hint of gratitude on his face. "Many thanks, benefactor."
"I didn't do anything. Go on. I believe you have spirit stones on you now. Feel free to browse our humble store."
"I will." Zhou Rui bowed once more before turning his attention back to the front.
When the eleventh red-robed cultivator entered the store. Lin Mo was notified about the completion of one of the daily tasks.
[Attract new customers: 10/10 (Completed)]
"Now I wait for them to pick their wares. No matter how picky someone can be, their curiosity about new things will eventually outweigh their hesitation," Lin Mo muttered to himself, glancing at the bustling store.
The Aura of Harmony was doing its job, allowing the disciples of the supposedly merciless sect to browse peacefully.
The Crimson Vale disciples moved from shelf to shelf, their eyes wide with curiosity.
Some were marveling at the talismans and pills that had been packaged like a modern item. Others were debating over the array of drinks in the cooler. They couldn't decide which to pick between the Heavenly Dew Soda and the newly added Frosty Lotus Brew.
One particularly stoic cultivator was intently studying a pack of instant noodles as if it held the secrets of the universe. He then shook it as though trying to get a feel of its contents.
"Boss, look at that guy!" Liu Xiaoyu whispered, pointing to the noodle-staring cultivator. "He's been holding that pack for five minutes. Do you think he's trying to absorb its spiritual energy?"
Lin Mo chuckled. "As if. Can you feel the spiritual energy leak out from those packaging? More likely, he's trying to figure out if it's worth one spirit stone. Go help him before he has an existential crisis."
Liu Xiaoyu skipped over, her cheery demeanor breaking the man's trance. "Hi there! Need help deciding? That's our Heavenly Spicy Noodles. Perfect for late-night cultivation sessions. Plus, it comes with a free packet of chili flakes for that extra kick!"
The cultivator blinked, then nodded slowly. "I'll take it. But… do I need a cauldron to prepare it?"
Liu Xiaoyu burst into laughter before pointing him to the corner where the kettle and bowls were located, "No cauldron required! Just add hot water. It's as easy as cultivating your first meridian! You can also eat that in our store. Please follow me."
The man's eyes lit up with relief as he followed Xiaoyu. "Thank you. This is truly a store of convenience."
Lin Mo shook his head. "One more satisfied customer."
Time seemed to pass as more and more Crimson Vale disciples moved to the counter, checking out what they picked. While not everyone could easily part with their hard-earned spirit stones, the number of transactions that exceeded twenty spirit stones was gradually filled.
Meanwhile, Zhou Rui who moved away to start browsing, eventually returned close to the store entrance, inspecting the weapons rack that Xiaoyu put there.
His gaze fell on the Celestial Wind Saber, its faint glow reflecting in his eyes.
"Benefactor," He called, gesturing to the sword. "This weapon… it's extraordinary. Is the price listed here true?"
Lin Mo approached, maintaining his professional tone. "Mhm. That's the Celestial Wind Saber. It is a one-of-a-kind spirit-grade weapon capable of slicing through low-tier magical defenses. The price is 80 spirit stones."
Zhou Rui nodded, "A fair price for such a fine weapon. I lost my weapon during my previous mission. I will take it!"
Lin Mo smirked, ringing up the sale. "Thank you for your purchase. May it serve you well."
Zhou Rui handed over a pouch of spirit stones, his respect for Lin Mo evident. "It will. This blade will be a testament to the quality of your store."
As Zhou Rui sheathed the saber and rejoined the other disciples outside who finished buying from the store, Lin Mo checked the system panel.
[Sell expensive items worth 20 spirit stones and above: 5/5 (Completed)]
Liu Xiaoyu's jaw dropped. "Boss! Was that real? He actually bought it?! That's our most expensive item to date!"
Lin Mo flicked her forehead before saying, "Stop getting amazed at everything. Are you not used to this yet? Come tomorrow, we might find a new item worth more than that."
"Oh. You're right. Zhenren Taihao and Lihua may show up with a true divine weapon in the future."
"When that happens… we won't just be ringing hundreds of stones."
"Boss… Why am I getting afraid about our future?" Liu Xiaoyu shivered, rubbing her shoulders as her mind wandered somewhere else.
"Isn't that too late for you? We're dealing with divine beings here, are we not? Now, go back and do your job. We'll take a break later. Let's try out the new lunchboxes."
"Alrighty!" The young woman nodded enthusiastically and saluted before hopping away like a rabbit once more.
As Lin Mo watched the crowded store gradually return to its usual emptiness, he couldn't help but continue wondering why his Celestial Providence was still getting triggered by others but not himself.
Unfortunately, he still had no time to once again try cultivating. He wasn't impatient though. If just by going with the system messages, he had seen how potent his luck was. It could turn one's doomed fate around.
"Huh?! Crimson Vale! You lot! Why are you gathered in front of that store?! Do you have designs for it?!"
Bringing him back to the present, Xu Qi suddenly heard someone shouting from outside. And right after that, the remaining Crimson Vale disciples inside the store hurriedly rushed out, joining Zhou Rui and the others.
Lin Mo sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course. Why wouldn't there be drama right when I'm about to enjoy a moment of peace? And the Aura of Harmony only works inside the store."
Hearing the commotion Liu Xiaoyu poked her head out from one of the shelves, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Boss, should I grab the broom? You know, just in case?"
"No, Xiaoyu," Lin Mo replied, waving her off. "Let's see what this is about first. If it escalates, that's when we'll step in to mediate. How can we get more customers if they fight each other in our storefront?."
As the shouting outside grew louder, Lin Mo reluctantly stepped out of the store, Liu Xiaoyu trailing close behind.
And sure enough, what appeared before them was the Crimson Vale disciples standing off against another group of similarly dressed cultivators. In front of them, Lin Mo recognized the one leading them.
"Oh! Boss, that's the young brat from the Azure Gale Sect yesterday! He also brought more customers! But why is he antagonizing them? There should be no bad blood between them."
Liu Xiaoyu exclaimed from his side before tilting her head in confusion.